Niger Delta
Bayelsa To Partner ITF In Training, Agric Development
Bayelsa State Government has indicated its readiness to partner with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in the area of training, promote self-reliance, agriculture and career development.
The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the indication when a delegation of ITF from the Bayelsa Area Office paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, noted that ITF’s mandate was in line with the Prosperity Administration’s determination to empower as many Bayelsans as possible with requisite skills for both personal and state economic growth.
The Deputy Governor, who underscored government’s interest in agricultural development, tasked the Commissioner in charge of the ministry and his counterparts in other relevant ministries to engage the ITF to come up with practical areas of collaboration.
Describing the visit as apt and timely, Senator Ewhrudjakpo expressed optimism that both parties will benefit from the proposed collaboration.
The state number two man decried the situation whereby the ITF does not get direct funding from the Federal Government and called for a change to enable the Agency discharge its responsibility effectively.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, said given the challenges of inadequate resources facing Bayelsa, the state government would not be able to completely fund the operations of ITF in the state.
He also frowned at the categorization of the ITF offices based on the number of trainings done, saying it puts the state office at a disadvantaged position and therefore called for a review.
According to the Deputy Governor, an increase in support from the Federal Government will enable the Agency and the state achieves more in various areas of collaboration.
“We are really interested in agricultural skill acquisition, that is why the Commissioner for Agric is here because we are looking for agencies that can help our people acquire skills and encourage them to be engaged in meaningful ventures”, he said.
“That we run a Prosperity Government does not mean we will come out to the streets and start throwing money at the people. We are not going to give anybody money that way because we believe that it is only when you work, you will value what you get.”
“Your visit is quite timely and apt. We will see what we can do to help you. We also expect that you will reciprocate. But let me say (again) that I’m not pleased with your funding arrangement. It is like a parent who gives birth and tells the child to fend for him or herself.
“Also, the categorisation of ITF according to the number of trainings already done is not acceptable by us. It simply means Lagos and other big states with stronger financial muscle, which were actually developed with oil wealth from the Niger Delta will be more favoured since they have the resources to fund more training”, he added.
Earlier, the Bayelsa Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund, Mrs Stella Titilola-Baiyere had stated that they were in the Deputy Governor’s office to seek areas of partnership with the state government.
She stated that the agency had the requisite personnel and expertise to train Bayelsans in virtually every area of human endeavour and urged the state government to take advantage of the available opportunities to improve the lot of the people.
The Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RSBOPP), says efforts are being made to strengthen the existing procurement processes leading to the award of contracts and jobs execution in the state to enhance service delivery.
The Board chairman of the RSBOPP, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in his office in Port Harcourt, after a meeting with staff of the agency, last Friday.
Oko-Jaja who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated that procurement had become a global issue, stressing that without a proper procurement plan, it would be difficult for any state or nation to move forward in the attainment of its developmental strategies and goals.
The chairman said that the Board had observed some improprieties in the procurement processes and assured that they would take every measure to ensure full compliance with the state procurement laws.
“We will ensure that the laws are followed and we have value for money. We must ensure that money is used for contract execution and not to enrich people’s pockets. We’ll ensure that the money being quoted for any job or contract corresponds with the prevailing market price. We are going to strengthen the monitoring and evaluating team of the Board to perform their duties; going to markets, verify the prices quoted for and also ensure compliance.
“We are going to look into the procurement laws to see how we can close the existing gaps noticed that are not in line with global practices. These measures will also affect local government councils in the state to ensure there is value for money and save money for the state government. And in doing so, the government can spread its services across the state and not in one place.
“His Excellency, the governor of the state has a mantra, “Rivers first”. We are going to ensure we assist him and the state government achieve this policy by ensuring that the procurement laws are complied with and things are done rightly. That is why we are here,” he said.
Oko-Jaja assured that members of the Board would justify the confidence reposed in them by the state governor for the benefit of the state.
Earlier, in an interactive meeting between Board members and staff of the agency, the Board chairman of RSBOPP told the excited workforce that the Board had approved the merger of some departments, namely Legal, Ethics Human Resources and the Facility Management departments to ensure maximum output and efficiency in service delivery.
He said that the Legal and Ethics departments had been merged as one department, adding the Human Resources and Facility Management departments had also been merged.
He told them that going forward every department would also be accountable for its responsibility and announced that the Board had also approved that conditions of service should be put in place for the staff of the agency so that they would grow like their counterparts in the state mainstream civil service.
Akujobi Amadi
The Rivers State Government says it would continue to address the needs of Civil Servants in the State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the Rivers State Civil Service 2025 New Year Thanksgiving Service, at the State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said his Administration is willing and ready to do what will make Civil Servants happy, more hardworking, and more distinguished.
“I want to tell you that you have our ears, and you can tell because when the Head of Service gave his address, there were no demands because while you were yet asking, it was already executed. We want you to know that to whom much is given, much is expected. We do not take your love and support for granted.” Governor Fubara stressed.
The State Chief Executive urged Civil Servants to redouble and rekindle their energy to ensure that the Rivers State Civil Service becomes the envy of Civil Service in Nigeria, noting that the State Government is pleased to work as a family with Civil Servants.
He implored them to continue to uphold his Administration in prayers, which according to him has kept him thus far, adding that prayers would lead them for years to come while asking them to be proud of whom they are as Civil Servants.
In his address, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nweke, expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for the implementation of the enhanced minimum wage, payment of Christmas bonus, improved retirement benefits, and creation of employment opportunities amongst others, as well as issuance of SME loans facility to deserving Civil Servants in the State.
Dr Nweke who said the theme of this year’s thanksgiving “Peace Be Still” reminds us that even amid turmoil and uncertainties you can find peace and calm in God’s presence while urging them to pray for continuous peace and development in the State.
In his sermon, the Dean Church of God, Anglican Communion, the Most. Rev. Blessing Enyindah who spoke on the theme “Peace Be Still” drawn from Mark 4:35-41, said storms of life may manifest in different ways and forms, causing us anxiety and sleepless nights but with Jesus Christ by our side, there is hope.
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